Dear Sunrise residents, families and staff members,
This is our weekly COVID update for the nursing and assisted living at Sunrise Retirement Community.
Sunrise currently does not have ANY residents or staff members who are quarantined for COVID-19.
Recently, the CDC and CMS issued guidance that fully vaccinated individuals (staff and residents) would not need to complete surveillance testing as previously required. Sunrise began following this new guidance this week, after rolling out the changes to staff. Staff and residents are still tested if they are showing signs/symptoms of illness or if Sunrise is in outbreak status. Unvaccinated staff are required to test routinely. Staff continue to regularly monitor residents for any signs or symptoms of illness. Sunrise may adjust this policy if the county positivity goes over 5%.
Our visitation policy was updated last week, and the newest version can be read here. Basically, changes are related to the relaxing of standards for appointments when visiting and for guidelines about mask wearing when both resident and visitor are fully vaccinated. Be sure to check out the policy so that you can be sure to be in compliance when in the building.
Other changes from CDC regarding mask wearing by individuals who are fully vaccinated do not currently apply to healthcare settings – which would include the nursing and assisted living areas of our campus. There are some exceptions to this, and Sunrise is allowing some relaxing of mask usage by residents as allowed under the guidance (which applies only in circumstances when all individuals in a room/activity are fully vaccinated). Sunrise Retirement Community will continue to require mask wearing for staff members and contractors while working, and for visitors when they are in the common areas of the building (see the visitation policy for more specific information on masks for visitors).Â
Other mitigation efforts in both nursing & assisted living include staff screening for exposure, symptoms and temperature; wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE); increased cleaning & disinfecting of surfaces throughout the building.
Hallie Salmen, CEO